I have a best friend whom I absolutely adore—Amami Yuu. She's known for her bright, sunflower-like smile, just as dazzling, if not more so, than her strikingly beautiful blue eyes and long, golden hair.
Though Yuu is now so full of life that her energy can be overwhelming, she was once a quiet and reserved girl who would hesitate to even speak with me. Her smile is so captivating, yet she used to always look down, rarely showing her face.
So, I decided to start from there. First, I helped her get comfortable talking with me one-on-one, making sure she could look me in the eye. Then, I introduced her to a couple of my close friends, and once she warmed up to them, to our classmates at school. By taking these gradual steps, she quickly gained confidence and rediscovered her innate brightness.
By the time we graduated from the elementary division of our all-girls' school, she had become the 'number one' in everyone's eyes.
Of course, a few people didn't see her that way, but that's when I stepped in. I was always by her side, acting as a shield to protect her from any ill will.
However, that unknowingly cast a deep shadow over my own heart… but, well, it's all in the past, and I'm very happy now, so I don't let it bother me.
In any case, this is the story of me, Asanagi Umi, and my best friend, Amami Yuu, up to this point.
When we entered high school, a small rift formed between us, but thanks to 'a certain someone,' we reconciled and took a new step forward together.
A year has passed, and our relationship has changed… especially since I made a very, very important 'friend.'
After becoming 'friends' with him, and soon after being promoted to his 'girlfriend,' he, not my best friend, was often the one by my side. Or rather, to be more precise, I was the one who couldn't bear to leave his side.
I'll stop here before this turns into me just gushing about him, but in any case, my best friend and I have clearly grown more distant than before.
Of course, it's not that I've come to dislike Yuu—in fact, I love her more than ever—but I've realized that we don't need to be as inseparable as we used to be.
"──Mornin'~ Nina-chi! It's a beautiful day, isn't it? Oh! And Nagisa-chan, too! Mornin' Nagisa-chan!"
"Mornin' Yuu-chin. You're full of beans today, as always."
"…You're too loud for this early in the morning. Tone it down a notch."
"Ehehe. Well, I'm just feeling that way today!"
She's already grown strong enough that she doesn't need my help anymore. Physically, she's flawless, and I feel like her mental strength is catching up. It is, however, a little lonely that she doesn't rely on me like she used to.
"Mornin' Yuu."
"Ah, Umi! Mornin' Umi! I love you!"
"Hey… Geez, and I was just praising you in my head. You're the same as ever, Yuu."
"? Praising me? What're you talking about?"
"It's nothing."
Lately, standing next to my grown-up best friend feels dazzling, but I'm going to try my best to shine just as brightly… so that I can forever remain the 'number one' for the person I love.